Abstract: The invention relates to a device (200) for the optical characterization of fluids and/or objects enclosed therein in a microchannel (13), comprising a measuring cell (10, 120), wherein the microchannel (13) is guided through the measuring cell (10, 120), characterized in that the measuring cell (10, 120) is filled with a liquid (14), the microchannel (13) is located within the measuring cell (10, 120) in the fluid (14), the fluid and/or objects enclosed therein are movable in the microchannel (13), and the microchannel (13) is movable within the measuring cell (10, 120) and/or the measuring cell (10, 120) with the microchannel (13) is movable manually or automatically. The invention further relates to a measuring cell (10, 120) for the device (200) and methods for optical characterization of fluids and/or objects enclosed therein in a microchannel (13) by means of the device (200).

Abstract: A thermal treatment control system including an imaging device for specifying the geometry and/or location of the treatment target, a thermal energy element for applying a thermal treatment for the heating or cooling of a target tissue for therapeutic purposes, a thermal energy detecting element for detecting a measured tissue response to the thermal treatment and a feedback controller for a real-time modification of the intensity and spatial distribution of the thermal dose in order to achieve therapeutic efficacy over a minimum or reduced treatment time while satisfying treatment constraints imposed to limit damage to normal tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure that positions rotating shafts and allows continuing transmission of rotary motion between shafts or shaft segments that are not aligned with one another or that may from time to time become misaligned. The invention reduces the undesirable effect of torque or torsional transients on rotary positioning and continued transmission of rotary motion, as well as reducing vibration resulting from linear or other angular displacement on either side of the joint. The structure comprises opposing outer and inner plates, each engaging a corresponding shaft or shaft segment. The plates define a plurality of holes that support flexible members. The flexible members extend through the plates on adjacent shafts or shaft segments around the shaft ends. Torque may be transmitted from one shaft to another by the flexible members.